The Law Society of Ireland carried out a major survey on business recovery in the legal profession following the first year of COVID-19 and has released a report on its findings.
The business recovery research was commissioned by the Law Society and conducted by independent consultant, Crowe between March and May 2021. Views gathered from solicitors in the survey are outlined below - followed by report recommendations.
Impact on business
51% reported a moderate impact on their practice due to the pandemic. Among those who experienced a moderate impact, reduction in work, disruption in the courts and ability to see clients were the top impacts reported.
Concerns about future impact
The top three concerns about the impact of the pandemic were turnover / income (25%), concern about the future of their business (18%) and fear of the economic impact / recession (16%).
Transforming technologies
Some 73% of solicitors believed the use of information and communications technology (ICT) will have the most positive impact on their business in the next 6-12 months. Remote working, the necessity of investment and upgrading of IT systems, and increased productivity and greater time efficiency were cited as the most positive impacts associated with the use of ICT.
Changed work practice
Meanwhile, 65% of solicitors reported that changed work practice will have a positive impact on their business in the next 6-12 months. The benefits of changed work practice reported were adaptation within the new remote working environment, increased flexibility within working arrangements and improvements in and better use of technology.
REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
The Business Recovery Survey Report outlines key recommendations for future implementation, including:
- Going forward, greater collaboration within the profession and by the Law Society is needed focusing on additional training and guidance. Greater collaborations will also be required with external stakeholders, both domestically and internationally.
- The digitalisation trend of legal services is set to continue. Initiatives, schemes and supports by the Law Society should follow this trend and focus on new ways of working.
- The Law Society should regularly review and monitor the situation and respond as required as the next stages evolve.
Copies of the full Business Recovery Survey Report are available on the Law Society website here.